Reading Stories
Officer Buckle
Story Summary
Officer Buckle's school safety speeches are a big hit until he finds out that everyone is watching the police dog, Gloria, not him.
Vocabulary
| department |
a separate part of a large organization, such as a government or business |
| audience |
a group of people who gather to see or hear a performance, such as a play |
| obeys |
carries out wishes, orders, or instructions |
| commands |
directions or orders |
| expression |
a way of speaking that shows feeling |
| accident |
something bad that happens without being planned |
| noticed |
became aware of, saw for the first time |
Spelling Words
sat |
felt |
last |
send |
next |
best |
went |
hand |
stand |
past |
grand |
stamp |
belt |
lend |
checked |
|
Pepita Talks Twice
Story Summary
Pepita stops speaking Spanish because she is tired of being the neighborhood translator. However. when her dog does not respond to the English name she gives him and a disaster nearly occurs, Pepita realizes that speaking two languages is best.
Vocabulary
| stubborn |
headstrong or unyielding |
| grumble |
a muttered complaint |
| mumbled |
said in a low, unclear way |
| exploded |
burst apart |
| darted |
moved swiftly |
| streak |
a quick flash of movement |
| languages |
systems of sound and symbols used to communicate ideas |
Spelling Words
| slip |
fish |
| pick |
rocks |
| lunch |
gift |
| thing |
inch |
| truck |
pond |
| from |
jump |
| socks |
dish |
| thump |
|
Nate the Great, San Francisco Detective
Story Summary
Detective Nate the Great searches San Francisco for a lost joke book. He discovers that the wrong place can be the best place to look for a lost item.
Vocabulary
| detective |
a person who solves mysteries |
| specific |
exact |
| positive |
completely sure |
| case |
a mystery or problem a detective is working to solve |
| returned |
brought back |
| definitely |
surely |
| assistant |
a person who helps someone do a job |
Spelling Words
| easy |
grade |
| meet |
late |
| seat |
saved |
| pail |
these |
| reach |
name |
| raise |
leave |
| gain |
theme |
| scream |
|
Allie's Basketball Dream
Story Summary
Allie can't make a basket with her new basketball. She keeps on trying, however, and finally shows that basketball is not just a game for boys.
Vocabulary
| professional |
doing something as a job |
| familiar |
known well or recognized |
| captain |
the leader of a group |
| pretended |
made believe |
| aimed |
pointed one thing at another |
| monitor |
a person who watches over something |
Spelling Words
| tight |
while |
| show |
stone |
| bright |
whole |
| window |
time |
| follow |
close |
| flight |
tide |
| grow |
broke |
| below |
|
Olympic Games: Where Heroes are Made
Story Summary
The Olympic Games have grown and changed since the first contests were held in ancient Greece. How ever, one aspect of the games remains the same - their ability to inspire amazing performances from the world's best athletes.
Vocabulary
Spelling Words
| least |
fast |
| just |
burst |
| strip |
stick |
| strike |
artist |
| almost |
student |
| strong |
start |
| blast |
straw |
| street |
|
Turtle Bay
Story Summary
A boy named Taro helps Jiro-San, a wise old man, clean up the beach for the giant sea turtles that swim ashore to nest.
Vocabulary
| message |
information that is passed on to someone |
| litter |
trash left on the ground |
| trained |
taught a person or animal how to do something |
| patiently |
in a away that shows a person is able to wait without complaining |
| wise |
able to understand important things |
| eager |
full of energy and desire to do something |
Spelling Words
known |
written |
laugh |
sphere |
wreck |
wrote |
wrong |
wrap |
wrench |
knocked |
knot |
wring |
enough |
rough |
wrinkle |
|
Balto, the Dog That Saved Nome
Story Summary
Diptheria has broken out in Nome, Alaska. Teams of sled dogs carry medicine 800 miles over snow and ice to prevent an epidemic.
Vocabulary
| splinters |
sharp, thin pieces that have broken off something |
| telegraph |
a device used to send words in code form one place to another |
| trail |
a path through wilderness |
| guided |
led others to where they needed to go |
| drifts |
large piles of snow heaped up by the wind |
| temperature |
the measure of how hot or cold something is |
Spelling Words
| shot |
chance |
| match |
watch |
| showed |
shock |
| pushed |
such |
| crash |
chew |
| batch |
hitched |
| sharp |
mush |
| speech |
|
Wild Shots, They're My Life
Story Summary
A wildlife photographer describes how she took some of her favorite photos. Find out the skills that are essential to her job.
Vocabulary
| curious |
full of questions |
| collapsed |
fell |
| marine (adj.) |
found in the sea |
| delicate |
easily broken |
| creature |
animal |
| survived |
lived |
Spelling Words
| space |
stage |
| huge |
fence |
| price |
police |
| office |
engine |
| badge |
pencil |
| excite |
force |
| range |
ginger |
| giraffe |
|
Little Grunt and the Big Egg
Story Summary
Life in the Grunt Tribe changes when a baby dinosaur hatches from the huge egg that Little Grunt drags home for brunch.
Vocabulary
| brunch |
a meal that comes between breakfast and lunch |
| peaceful |
calm and quiet |
| omelet |
eggs that are beaten with other ingredients and cooked |
| erupting |
blowing out lava, rocks, and gases from a volcano |
| escape |
to get away from danger |
Spelling Words
| joyful |
choice |
| voice |
joint |
| moist |
spoil |
| royal |
annoy |
| noise |
employ |
| soil |
loyal |
| boiled |
destroy |
| pointy |
|
Rosie, a Visiting Dog's Story
Story Summary
Rosie is a Tibetan terrier whose friendly nature makes her a perfect visiting dog. She brings comfort to people in nursing homes and hospitals.
Vocabulary
| firm |
stern or commanding |
| confident |
sure of oneself, certain |
| comfortable |
at ease in mind or body |
| approach |
to come close to |
| equipment |
the things needed or used for a particular purpose |
| program |
structured course of activities or training |
| appointment |
arrangement for a meeting at a specific time |
Spelling Words
| crown |
proud |
| however |
count |
| crowded |
around |
| south |
loud |
| house |
shouted |
| howl |
growl |
| bounce |
fountain |
| sound |
|
The Stories Julian Tells
Story Summary
Julian meets Gloria, a new girl in his neighborhood. Together they make a "wish kites" with wishes fastened to its tail; both wish for lasting friendship.
Vocabulary
| beyond |
past |
| collection |
similar items chosen to save |
| mustache |
something, usually hair, between the nose and lips |
| seriously |
thoughtfully |
| fastened |
attached |
| cartwheel |
handspring that turns sideways |
Spelling Words
| brother's |
brothers |
| uncle's |
uncles |
| sister's |
sisters |
| sisters' |
man's |
| men's |
child's |
| girls |
girls' |
| girls |
mine |
| yours |
|
The Talent Show
Story Summary
Beany is anxious about the upcoming talent show. After a talk with father, Beany realizes the most important thing is to have fun.
Vocabulary
| gym |
large room used for indoor sports |
| perform |
to take part in a public show |
| prefer |
to like better than something else |
| recite |
to repeat from memory |
| enjoying |
having a good time; taking pleasure in |
| billions |
a very, very large number of things |
| roam |
to wander; to move around without a purpose |
Spelling Words
| song |
law |
| because |
soft |
| dawn |
crawl |
| lost |
taught |
| long |
frost |
| lawn |
hawk |
| laundry |
author |
| pause |
|
Centerfield Ballhawk
Story Summary
Young Jose Mendez is a terrific centerfielder but a weak hitter. When his father calls him a "born outfielder", Jose realizes he is a hit with his father.
Vocabulary
| outfielder |
a baseball player whose position is in the outfield |
| concentrate |
to pay close attention |
| depend |
to rely |
| ballhawk |
a baseball player who always seems to get to the ball and catch it |
| vanish |
to suddenly out of sight ;disappear |
| fault |
responsibility for a mistake; blame |
Spelling Words
| boots |
grouped |
| shook |
school |
| looked |
hood |
| choose |
brook |
| zoomed |
balloon |
| loose |
soot |
| understood |
cartoon |
| afternoon |
|
Ramona Forever
Story Summary
When Ramona's mother has a new baby, Ramona's concerns are cured with extra doses of affection from her parents.
Vocabulary
| glanced |
took a quick look |
| comfort |
someone or something that makes you feel better |
| longed |
wanted very much |
| contagious |
able to be spread by contact |
| prescription |
a doctor's written instructions for taking medicine |
| unexpected |
not expected; surprising |
Spelling Words
| started |
card |
| park |
smart |
| star |
shark |
| mark |
barber |
| party |
pardon |
| bark |
tart |
| carpet |
farther |
| barn |
|
Sayings We Share: Proverbs and Fables
Story Summary
The sayings and gables in this selection represent oral traditions from Vietnam, Africa, ancient Greece, the United States, and elsewhere. The wisdom found in this literature has survived generations, contributing to the growth and survival of cultures all over the world. Similar messages are found throughout despite their place of origination.
Vocabulary
| summoned |
called to come |
| fortunate |
luck |
| generation |
people who grow up at about the same time |
| persistently |
repeatedly. without giving up |
| faithful |
loyal |
| illuminated |
lit up; made brighter |
Spelling Words
| bear |
tear |
| haircut |
stairs |
| wear |
airplane |
| compare |
repair |
| pear |
prepare |
| stare |
glare |
| sharing |
fairy |
| aware |
|
Papa Tells Chita a Story
Story Summary
Chits loves to hear Papa's story of his adventures during the Spanish-American War. How much of the story is true?
Vocabulary
| colonel |
a person with a certain rank, or position in an army |
| soldier |
a person who serves in an army |
| urgent |
in need of immediate action or attention; pressing |
| brambles |
prickly plants or bushes |
| stumbling |
moving in an unsteady way |
| outstretched |
extended; stretched forward |
| weary |
tired |
Spelling Words
| forks |
worn |
| form |
fourth |
| war |
storm |
| horse |
warn |
| morning |
forest |
| court |
porch |
| court |
porch |
| pouted |
port |
| important |
|
Coyote Places the Stars
Story Summary
By shooting arrows, Coyote arranges the stars in constellations. Then he summons the other animals to view his handiwork.
Vocabulary
| canyon |
a narrow valley with steep sides |
| pride |
a feeling of happiness and satisfaction about doing something well |
| swiftly |
very quickly |
| skillful |
showing skill; showing a talent for doing something well |
| feast |
a special celebration with a large amount of food |
| gazing |
looking with a long, steady stare |
| arranged |
put in some kind of order |
Spelling Words
| hear |
one |
| won |
way |
| heard |
flower |
| out |
flour |
| weigh |
here |
| beat |
herd |
| beet |
hair |
| hare |
|
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
Story Summary
King Lion calls a meeting to find out what led to an accident. The reason why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears.
Vocabulary
| satisfied |
having one's needs or desires fulfilled |
| duty |
job or responsibility |
| council |
meeting called to find answers |
| mischief |
behavior that causes problems for others |
| nonsense |
words or ideas that are foolish and have no real meaning |
| tidbit |
small piece of something |
Spelling Words
| curl |
birth |
| burned |
perfect |
| thirty |
church |
| firm |
skirt |
| clerk |
jerked |
| dirt |
shirt |
| person |
purse |
| term |
|
Lon Po Po
Story Summary
A mother leaves her daughters at home while she goes to visit their grandmother. A wolf, disguised as the girls' grandmother, pays a visit. The girls realized the wolf's trick and outsmart him.
Vocabulary
| delighted |
very happy |
| dusk |
the time in the evening just before it gets dark |
| embraced |
hugged |
| latch |
to lock a door with a movable bar that fits into a slot |
| tender |
easy to chew; soft |
| brittle |
easily broken or snapped |
| cunning |
able to fool or trick; sly or clever |
Spelling Words
| pulled |
begged |
| hugged |
silly |
| correct |
latter |
| matter |
supper |
| common |
lesson |
| collect |
setting |
| bottles |
different |
| jelly |
|
The Crowded House
Story Summary
A large family feels very crowded in its tiny house. The village wise man has a solution, but will his solution help, or make things worse?
Vocabulary
| wits |
mind, the ability to think |
| wailing |
a loud, long cry expressing unhappiness or pain |
| faring |
getting along |
| advice |
opinion about how to solve a problem |
| dreadful |
very bad |
| farewell |
good-bye |
Spelling Words
| faster |
wisest |
| bigger |
slowest |
| cooler |
hottest |
| soonest |
shorter |
| kindest |
louder |
| slimmer |
wildest |
| tamer |
whitest |
| strangest |
|
Leah's Pony
Story Summary
When dust storms devastate the crops, Leah's family must auction off their livestock and farm equipment to repay a bank loan. Leah saves the family's farm by selling her pony to buy Papa's tractor for $1. This inspires the neighbors to bid low and return everything to the family.
Vocabulary
| county |
a section of a state |
| auctioneer |
a person who is hired to run a public sale |
| bid |
the amount of money that is offered to buy something |
| clutched |
held tightly |
| glistened |
shone or sparkled |
| galloped |
ran at a horse's or pony's top speed |
Spelling Words
| sometimes |
pickup |
| dishwater |
notebook |
| upstairs |
football |
| sunshine |
outdoors |
| hallway |
timeout |
| doorway |
sunset |
| bookcase |
everyone |
| everything |
|
Yippee-Yay!
Story Summary
The life of the American cowhand in the Old West was exciting and tough. It included taming wild horses and working on cattle drives.
Vocabulary
| ranchers |
people who own a large farm for raising animals |
| tending |
taking care of |
| profit |
money gained by settling something |
| corral |
a fenced in space for farm animals |
| stray |
wandering or lost |
| market |
a public place where goods are sold |
Spelling Words
| cowboy |
horses |
| corral |
winter |
| always |
cactus |
| garden |
tender |
| fifteen |
basket |
| welcome |
lasso |
| market |
until |
| Monday |
|
Boom Town
| miners |
people whose job is working in a mine to extract minerals or ores from the earth |
| nuggets |
small chunks |
| skillet |
heavy iron pan used for cooking and frying |
| stagecoach |
horse-drawn vehicle with four wheels |
| settle |
to make a home in a new place |
| boom town |
a community that experiences sudden and rapid growth |
| landmark |
an object or feature that marks a boundary or identifies a place |
Spelling Words
| belong |
hotel |
| focus |
miner |
| pupil |
begin |
| music |
future |
| behind |
tiger |
| become |
motel |
| baker |
cabin |
| ocean |
|
Cocoa Ice
Story Summary
A girl in nineteenth-century Santo Domingo tells how her family harvests cocoa, and a girl in nineteenth-century Maine tells how her family cuts ice from the river. Both girls are delighted when their distant communities become neighbors by trading the goods each has to offer.
Vocabulary
| harvest |
to gather a crop |
| pulp |
the soft part of certain fruits and vegetables |
| machete |
a heavy knife used as a tool for cutting plants |
| trading |
used for the purpose of exchanging one thing for another |
| schooner |
a ship that has two or more masts with sails in the front and back |
| support |
to hold the weight of |
| bargain |
to talk about a trade in order to get a better deal |
Spelling Words
| blooming |
settled |
| stamping |
leaving |
| liked |
taking |
| getting |
filled |
| swimming |
rolled |
| hoping |
used |
| hurrying |
buying |
| worried |
|
Alejandro's Gift
Story Summary
Alejandro's lonely desert life changes forever when he digs a secluded water hole for his animal neighbors. His gift is also a gift to himself, for as the animals visit, Alejandro's loneliness disappears.
Vocabulary
| shunned |
stayed away from |
| cherished |
cared about deeply |
| growth |
plant life growing in a certain area |
| windmill |
a machine that uses the wind to generate power |
| ample |
more than enough |
| furrows |
long, deep grooves dug into soil |
Spelling Words
| pennies |
buried |
| replied |
candies |
| emptied |
stories |
| married |
copies |
| parties |
studied |
| mysteries |
discoveries |
| worries |
families |
| ponies |
|
Rocking and Rolling
Story Summary
This selection describes the four layers of Earth, and explains how Earth's plates can shift to cause earthquakes or tsunamis, or push together to form mountains. The selection also explains the role wind and water play in shaping the Earth's features.
Vocabulary
| edges |
places where something ends |
| range |
a line of mountains |
| peak |
the top of a mountain |
| epicenter |
the place on the earth's surface just above the center of an earthquake |
| magma |
melted rock inside the earth |
| coast |
land along the sea |
Spelling Words
| it's |
isn't |
| you've |
we'd |
| didn't |
she's |
| we've |
haven't |
| he'd |
they'd |
| there's |
don't |
| we'll |
won't |
| he's |
|
The Armadillo From Amarillo
Story Summary
To find out where in the world his home is, Armadillo leaves the Texas woods, crosses prairies, rides on an eagle's back, and then boards a space shuttle. From space he sees that his Texas, is in the United States on the the North American continent, on planet Earth.
Vocabulary
| eventually |
sometime in the future, finally |
| converse |
talk to one another |
| continent |
one of the seven large land areas on Earth |
| sphere |
a round object like a ball; a planet |
| universe |
everything that exists, including the sun stars, all the planets, and outer space |
| homeward |
toward home |
Spelling Words
| water |
over |
| never |
under |
| river |
number |
| wonder |
tower |
| rather |
finger |
| center |
prefer |
| better |
border |
| fever |
|
Visitors from Space
Story Summary
We see comets when the Sun's gravity pulls them past Earth. Comets may look like bright, fuzzy balls or long-haired stars, but they are really made.
Vocabulary
| fluorescent |
bright and glowing |
| force |
power that causes motion or change |
| loops |
moves in a circling way |
| nucleus |
center of a comet |
| particles |
tiny pieces |
| solar wind |
continuous glow of gases from the Sun |
Spelling Words
| simple |
total |
| apple |
title |
| central |
purple |
| signal |
normal |
| middle |
able |
| terrible |
people |
| medal |
handle |
| single |
|
|
